Commercialisation: LDA to assume control of buildings on 147 roads

[Salman]

Commercialisation: LDA to assume control of buildings on 147 roads

LAHORE: The city government is set to transfer the control of buildings along 147 roads to the Lahore Development Authority this month, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Under the Lahore Development Authority Ordinance 2013, land use classification, master planning, land use control, preparation or planning of development schemes and private housing schemes in Lahore division are LDA’s job. Towns administrations are each preparing an inventory of housing schemes to transfer to the authority. District Coordination Officer Dr Ahmed Javed has also directed the District Office of Spatial Planning to hand over the commercialisation of 147 roads in the city to the LDA.
Municipal Services Executive District Officer Masood Tamanna said the control of commercialisation would be transferred to the LDA this month.
The LDA already has control of 58 roads in the city. Once building control is transferred completely, the commercialisation fees will be revised according to the LDA’s policy. The city government has charged 5 per cent of the value of properties worth up to Rs1 million, 10 per cent for properties worth up till Rs10 million and 20 per cent on properties worth more than Rs10 million. The LDA charges a 20 per cent flat rate on all properties. Land owners who have already paid commercialisation fees will not have to pay again.
The district administration generated around Rs210 million from commercialisation fees in 2012-2013, the fees will now become a source of income for the LDA.
Cases pending with the District Planning and Design Committees for approval will also be transferred to the LDA that will issue a no objection certificate after reassessment in 15 days.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2014.